Accepted: First, can you tell us a little about yourself – where are you from, where did you go to college and when did you graduate; and what prior degrees do you hold?
Little White Coats: Rick Pescatore – I graduated from the US Naval Academy with a B.S. in Aerospace Engineering and entered the Submarine Service, receiving extra graduate training in nuclear power.
Accepted: Where are you in medical school? And how did you decide on that program?
Little White Coats: I am a third year at Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine. I chose PCOM for its location and reputation for producing excellent clinicians.
Accepted: Is med school anything like you had expected it to be? Any surprises?
Little White Coats: Medical school is an academic gauntlet that I never anticipated. Most surprising, though, is that much of my medical education has been independent of the lecture hall. The clinical experience, research exposure, and specialty-specific exploration that truly deepens your knowledge and enriches your medical school education is 100% your own responsibility to cultivate.
Accepted: What courses or experiences or people motivated you to go into medicine?
Little White Coats: While at the Naval Academy, I became an EMT in order to better serve the men and women I planned to lead in the future. My first day on the ambulance I realized that I loved everything about medicine.
Accepted: What is your favorite class so far?
Little White Coats: Pre-clinically, my favorite course was the Cardiovascular System. However, in just two weeks I kick off rotations with a month in the Emergency Department, and I’ve been looking forward to it since day one!
Accepted: What is your favorite thing about living in Philadelphia? Least favorite?
Little White Coats: I live across the river in South Jersey, allowing myself to maintain a nice suburban feel that I value while having access to all the fun of Philly. The best thing about Philadelphia is probably the Phillies, and it’s great to cross the bridge for an occasional hotdog at the ballpark.
Accepted: Do you have any application advice for medical school applicants?
Little White Coats: Apply early, apply often, and hound the admissions office ad-nauseum. I applied very late – March – and being a constant annoying figure on admissions directors’ desks undoubtedly helped make up for my late application.
Accepted: Why did you decide to blog about your med school experience?
Little White Coats: I originally began blogging simply as a journal for my parents to read while I was in Cambodia on a medical mission. The daily writing was cathartic and fun, so I continued. I never expected for the blog to grow so much!
***P.S. Accepted respectfully disagrees with Rick’s view on hounding the admissions staff…but we’re glad that it worked for him!***
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